Electrically controlled and powered submarine rotary corer system



June 23, 1970 E. F. MAYER ET 3,

ELECTRICALLY CONTROLLED AND POWERED SUBMARINE ROTARY CORER SYSTEM Filed Dec. 23, 1968 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 IGJ I l I I i I I: 83 i ii 111 1H a a 2 w 68 64 63 ii} i 2 w we Q 1 N33? /42 62-- a g-= 1 F1" 02 a0 14 "L.

26 62- I F I 6. la T 66 a j 28 n INVENTORS (375W ERNEST 'F. MA YER \;"30 30' WARD BRAN/VO/V F/ 6 'EDW/N s. SCHALLER, JR.

FRANK G PICK/1R0 June 23, 1970 MAYER ET AL 3,516,503

ELECTRIGALLY CONTROLLED AND POWERED SUBMARINE ROTARY CORER SYSTEM Filed Dec. 23, 1968 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VENTORS ERNEST E MAYER WARD BRANNON EDWIN 5. SGHALLER, JR.

FRANK C; PICK/1RD United States Patent 3,516,503 ELECTRICALLY CONTROLLED AND POWERED SUBMARINE ROTARY CORER SYSTEM Ernest F. Mayer, Palo Alto, Ward Brannon, San Jose, and Edwin S. Schaller, Jr., Los Gatos, Calif., and Frank C. Pickard, Chatham, N.J., assignors to the United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Interior Filed Dec. 23, 1968, Ser. No. 785,918 Int. Cl. E21b 7/12 US. Cl. 175-6 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Core sample drilling apparatus which is made operable when stationed on a sea floor. A carriage guided for vertical displacement in the apparatus supports self-contained pump and drill drive mechanism governed by interrelated remote and internal control devices. Included is an internal control device for automatically connecting the drill drive to a. carriage retracting mechanism at the end of the drilling stroke.

The invention relates to an improved apparatus furnishing core samples for analysis in oil and valuable minerals exploration studies. More particularly, this apparatus is adapted for use when submerged under water and resting on the sea floor whereat the apparatus is operated to penetrate the sea floor with a coring drill and withdraw an undisturbed core sample. Apparatus heretofore generally used underwater to secure core samples has been limited to making relatively shallow penetrations through rock and gravel encountered in the sea floor. Moreover, where sediments permitted increased penetration, non-uniform forces applied to the drill resulted in considerably deformed cores which made precise analysis diflicult. Undisturbed cores are uniformly produced by the apparatus of the present invention since its core drill is maintained stationed over the point of penetration during a complete drilling cycle in which the full length of the core is removed from the sea floor be fore the overall apparatus is again displaced.

Comprising the apparatus of the present invention are a tower-like support rig and an elevator structure vertically displaceable therein for carrying a rotatable core barrel and drill bit a predetermined distance into the sea floor before retracting the barrel and bit to a terminal position within the rig. Also situated on this elevator structure are a motor drive which effectuates the rotation of the core barrel and bit as well as a vertical displacement of the elevator structure, anda motor driven pump which forces sea water to circulate through the core drill. Various function control devices on the support rig and elevator structure are arranged thereon to cooperate in a manner which obtains for the apparatus an appertaining operational sequence. The integrity of the core formed during this sequence is further protected by a non-rotatable core confining element carried within the core barrel. A power source for energizing the motor drives, and start-up controls and operational indicators associated with the apparatus are located aboard a vessel from which the apparatus and its interconnecting lines are lowered.

An object of the present invention is therefore to provide a submerga'ble coring apparatus which operates when stationed on the sea floor to completely remove an integral core sample therefrom.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an internally controlled underwater coring apparatus.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an improved core forming device.

ice

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following detailed description thereof hereinafter set forth, and the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a partially fragmented side elevational view of the overall apparatus according to the present invention;

FIG. 1(a) is a detail view, partly in section, showing in engagement structure, including a protective connection, through which a rotary drive is applied to a coring drill assembly.

FIG. 2 is a plan view taken along line 22 in FIG. I, particularly showing details in part of the elevator structure of the apparatus; and

FIG. 3 is a wiring diagram schematically illustrating the electrical facilities serving to control operation of the apparatus.

Referring to FIG. 1, an apparatus according to the invention is seen to comprise a tower structure having a mast or upright frame 10 fashioned by circular plates 12 and 14, at its upper and lower ends, respectively, between which are vertically disposed four elongated posts 16, 18, 20 and 22. The corresponding opposite ends of the posts are uniformly spaced wherein these post ends are secured by welding or threaded connections. Each plate has a number of openings formed at appropriate 10- cations thereon to facilitate assembly of the apparatus, and operation therein of displaceable parts. Several encircling rings 24 are suitably placed spaced-apart on frame 10 and secured to its posts to obtain a requisite rigidity for the construction. Affixed to the underside of lower plate 14 is a tripod arrangement 26 having hinged to the extended end of each of its legs a relatively large pedestal pad 28. The underside of each pad is equipped with a spike 30 which is adapted to stick into the sediment of sea floor 32 when the pads come to rest on the sea floor to properly locate the apparatus over a drilling station. A plurality of braces 34 stretching between the tripod legs and between such legs and lower plate 14, act to reinforce this construction in a well known manner.

Operationally disposed within frame 10 is an elevator structure 38 in which are actively maintained the primary working compounds of the apparatus. A vertically displaceable carriage 40 of a elevator 38 provides the structure with a general support for its working components. A pair of circular plates 42 and 44, which are employed in theapparatus to form top and bottom decks, respectively of carriage 40, are held spaced apart and concentrically aligned by four spacer pipes of conventional design (not shown). An elongated cylindrical shell 46, providing a housing for a pump motor 48, is received through aligned openings of plates 42 and 44 wherein it is secured to carriage 40 by connective flanges 50 which are welded to shell 46 and bolted to the plates to impart additional rigidity to the carriage structure. The peripheral edge of each of the carriage plates has attached to two diametrically opposite portions thereon relatively short, semi-circular channels 52 which are vertically disposed to slidingly mate with the cylindrical surface of frame posts 16 and 20'. Carriage 40 is thus supported between the frame posts and guided thereby when longitudinally displaced with a rotary head of a drilling mechanism 60 borne by the carriage, as will be hereinafter more fully explained. Another cylindrical shell 54, provided to house a motor component 56 of the drilling mechanism, is equipped with a flange at the bottom end thereof, and a brace structure 57 by which it is afiixed to the upper surface of plate 42. As best seen by reference to both FIGS. 1 and 2, cylindrical shells 46 and 54 are emplaced on upper carriage deck 42 spaced diametrically apart so as to locate the motors therein contiguous to the edge of this deck.

The operatively interrelated components constituting drilling mechanism 60 of the apparatus are disposed in and about openings through the carriage decks 42 and 44, and end plates 12 and 14 of frame 10, whereby they are held generally aligned with the longitudinal axis of the frame. Central to these drilling components is a core barrel 62 in which is nested a tubular steel liner 64 adapted to remain stationary during rotation of this barrel. A core drill bit 66, made integral with the extended end of core barrel 62, is thus rotated therewith to cut a core sample in a well known manner. When core barrel 62 is set in a starting drawn up position, as illustrated in FIG. 1, drill bit 66 is maintained a short distance above the base level of the apparatus, or plane defined by the flats of pedestal pads 28. An expendible PVC liner 68, is installed within liner 64 to receive the core sample as the drilling proceeds. The rotational drive to core bit 66 originating in motor 56 is transmitted by a right angle coupling gear train enclosed in a casing 70, and a speed reducer gearing mechanism 72. Motor 56 is oil filled and sealed to prevent entry of external fluid. Expansion and contraction of the motor oil and equilization of internal pressure in motor housing 54 is made possible by an elastic diaphragm 74 located in the extended end of this housing. Gear casing 70 is mounted to depend from the underside of upper carriage deck 42 by bolt fastenings which extend through the deck plate and flanges on this casing and motor housing 54. A crown flange on an upper cylindrical extension 76 of the speed reducer mechanism casing facilitates an attachment of the speed reducer mechanism to the underside of upper carriage deck 42 by a number of bolts, whereby this mechanism is aligned with a central opening in the deck. A further flange on the casing of mechanism 72 is vertically disposed to enable a connection between it and a matching flange on a horizontal section of gear casing 70. The external shaft connections of the right angle gears in casing 70 are keyed to the output stub shaft of motor 56, and the input shaft of speed reducer mechanism '72, respectively, in a conventional manner. Speed reducer mechanism 72 operates in an oil reservoir having connections to a pressure relieving chamber 73 wherein a rolling diaphragm and a piston function to equalize pressure in the drill drive system components when they are submerged. Underwater integrity of the aforesaid gear train units is obtained by bolting them together through adapters at their junctions which are sealed with conventional deformable plastic gaskets at all mating surfaces.

Core barrel 62 is rotated by way of a connection illustrated in FIG. 1(a), wherein spline ribs 63 on the outer surface at the upper part of the core barrel are drivingly engaged by longitudinal keyways 81 inside a small sub-sleeve 83 carried by a sub-assembly 80. A shearpin weak link assembly, which is threaded onto the lower end of the sub-sleeve includes a common brass pin 82, extending into the wall of core barrel 62. The rotational force transmitted through the gear train in casing 70 and speed reducer mechanism 72, applies a drive to sub 80 by way of a four jaw chuck 84 in which the upper end of the sub is clamped. This drive is applied to chuck 84 through an adapter unit 86 which is bolted and doweled to the output ring in speed reducer extension 76, and secured to the lower end of the chuck by a threaded connection and spot welding. A requisite rotational drive from motor 56 can thus be communicated by chuck 84 to core barrel 62 through the aforementioned longitudinal keywayspline connections. As an example, a speed reducer mechanism 72 having utility in an embodiment of the present invention drilling a three inch bore is a gearing providing a single reduction from a nominal 3600-r.p.m. of a 3-h.p. motor input to a nominal l-r.p.m., 500 in.-lb. torque output. The evident heavy mass on carriage 40 serves a two-fold purpose in that it counteracts with its mass inertia the tangential friction and mass inertia forces of the rotating drilling head components, and produces a vertical axial force which pushes the core sampler into the sea floor soil aiding the drilling process In the event the core 4 barrel cannot be retracted either automatically or by applying tension to a lifting cable, as will be hereinafter more fully explained, pin 82 is adapted to be sheared whereby the loss of the core barrel permits the remainder of the apparatus to be retrieved.

Water is circulated to core drill bit 66 by way of a water swivel 88 having a rotatable part thereof threaded in a peripheral recess at the top of sub 80, and an annulus between core barrel 62 and liner 64. The mating part of swivel 88 is equipped with a quick disconnect coupling in which is fastened one end of a water hose assembly 90 having its other end coupled to a pump 92 aflixed to housing 46 and driven by motor 48 therein. Incorporated into hose assembly 90 is a one-way valve, and a needle point metering valve 93 for varying water flow. Pump motor 48 is oil filled and sealed to prevent entry of external fluid into the motor, and employs a diaphragm 94 mounted on one end thereof to allow pressure equilization. A sturdy bail element fastened to the mating part of swivel 88, is attached to a clevis link 96 suspended from a clamp panel 98 in which a stainless steel lifting cable 101 is securely gripped. Hoist operations on the attending vessel drawing up cable 101, brings clamp panel 98 into contact with a hinged striker plate 103 latched onto the underside of frame plate 12, whereby further upward pull on cable 101 loads the weight of the apparatus on striker plate 103 and thus enables displacement of the apparatus to and from sea floor 32. A protected electrical Wiring cable 105, extending from an operators control console aboard the vessel, is lowered underwater with the apparatus to provide electrical connections to pump and drill motors 48 and 56, and a number of switch devices on carriage 40, to be hereinafter more fully explained. Lifting cable 101 and electrical cable 105 are clamped to a float 107 which acts to maintain these cables in tension during carriage movements to a retracted position.

When the apparatus is being lowered underwater, carriage 40 is drawn up in frame 10 by cable 101 which is held under tension produced thereon by the weight of the apparatus in water then applied to the cable through its connector links 96 and 98 to the carriage. Following completion of a drilling operation which was initiated upon touch down of the apparatus on sea floor 32, carriage 40 is drawn up by a retracting mechanism 110 from a predetermined lowest position wherein the underside of deck 44 contacts bumper rests 102 on the lower plate in frame 10, to a retracted terminal position in the frame. A pulley system of this retracting mechanism includes a cord 112 of nylon or the like, stretching from an eyebolt fastening 11.4 in the top side of carriage deck 42, wherefrom the cord extends over a series of pulleys including vertical pulleys 11-6 and 118, depending from the underside of frame plate 12, and a horizontally disposed pulley, not shown, situated between and to one side of the vertical pair. Cord 112 stretches down from pulley 118, passing through an opening in deck 42, and around pulleys 119 and 120 afiixed to the topside of lower carriage deck 44. The further extension of cord 112 stretches from pulley 120 to a cord storage drum of a carriage winch 122. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a generally triangular plate 124 can be seen on the topside of carriage deck 44, maintained to pivot thereon about a pin and washer connection 126 and 127. Carriage winch 122 is also seen covering the broadest part of plate 124 whereon it is mounted to facilitate a reversible drive to the cord drum therein. A further pivotal connection 130 joins plate 124 to a two position, spring held latch pawl 132 mounted to pivot on deck 44 about a pin 133. Plate 124 thus provides a swinging support carrier for winch 122 as well as a gear 134 encircling the drum of the winch as an integral part thereof. When carrier plate 124 is turned about its pivotal supports to shift toward the center of the apparatus, gear 134 is adapted to mesh with a further gear 136 bolted to the output shaft at the bottom end of speed reducer mech anism 72.

As is best seen in FIG. 2, latch pawl 132 has a projecting finger 138 which when carriage 40 reaches its lowest position in frame 10, is adapted to strike a cam projection 140 attached to the topside of lower frame plate 14. Pawl finger 138 rides on an inclined edge 142 of cam 140 whereby the pawl is urged clockwise as viewed in FIG. 2, and its pivotal connection 130 with winch carrier plate 124 drives the plate counterclockwise about its pivotal elements 126 and 127 until winch drum gear 134 engages gear 136 on the speed reducer mechanism. Thus, the drive from motor 56 is transmitted by way of the speed reducer and the engaged gears to the drum of winch 122. Gears 134 and 136 are maintained in engagement by a conventional over-center spring latch 144 having a spring stretched between pins on pawl 132 and plate 124, and which is most stressed when these turning parts are in mid-positions.

In preparation for the operation of the coring apparatus described herein, sub-assembly 80 together with core barrel 62 keyed therein, and containing nested core tubes 64 and 68, are made part of the apparatus by the clamping connection effected by chuck 84. Underwater breakout cable 105 is mated with electrical connectors extending to the control console and power source set up aboardthe attending ship. After lowering the apparatus over the side at the end of a hoist, float 107 is attached to cables 101 and 105. As hereinbefore explained, the internal operational drives for the apparatus are derived from motor 48 serving to activate the drill water circulation pump, and motor 56 serving to activate the core drilling assembly and carriage retract devices. These motors appear in FIG. 3 together with a showing of exemplary circuitry for connecting them to controlling and indicating electrical components. Two double pole snap switches 150 and 152, and a mercury switch 158 shown in the figure, and in FIGS. 1 and 2, are afiixed to the topside of carriage deck 42 adjacent to frame post 18. The operation of motor 56 is conditioned by the setting taken by switch 150 when a displacement of carriage 40 in either direction to within a predetermined distance from its extreme upward position in frame 10, moves the switch actuator extension against a camming projection 154 affixed to an upper part of post 18. This distance corresponds to that which carriage 40 moves core barrel 62 to bring bit 66 thereof into contact with sea floor 32 after the apparatus touches down on the sea floor at the end of cable 101. Operation of motor 48 is responsive to a control by a further camming projection 156 affixed to a lower part of post 18 where it is disposed to be intercepted by the actuator finger of switch 152 as carriage 40 approaches a position at which core drill 62 is fully extended into the sea floor. Upon retraction of the carriage, as hereinbefore explained, switch 152 is again actuated by an engagement with cam projection 156, whereby the switch contacts therein are returned to their initial state. The arrangement of mercury switch 158 on carriage deck 42 with respect to the vertical disposition of frame 10, adapts this switch to control indicator lights on the shipboard console wherefrom the vertical alignment of the frame becomes apparent.

Other electrical components appearing in FIG. 3, including the several relays shown, and the interconnecting circuit leads therefor, are appropriately arranged by their attachments within the chassis of the shipboard console. The manually depressible switches and the indicator lights related thereto, shown operatively associated wtihin the aforesaid circuit leads, are mounted within the face panel of the console where they are viewable by an operator of the apparatus. The panel switches include a direct current power input switch 180, a start pump motor switch 182, a start drill motor switch 184, a pump motor off over-ride switch 186, a reset switch 188, a pump motor off switch 190, and a drill motor off over-ride switch 192. Motors 48 and 56 are energized from a three phase A.C.

source 194 through the operation of motor controllers 196 and 198, respectively, of a conventional design. Three phase leads 200 and 202 connect the source to the controllers by way of circuit breakers 204 and 206. A rectifier 210 connected to source 194, as shown by leads 212, supplies a regulated D.C. voltage on a lead 214, designated as a plus polarity output which is received at the various points throughout the circuit indicated by a plus sign.

After the requisite cable connections between the corer apparatus and the console, and between the shipboard power source and the console are completed by fastening together suitable plug and pin couplings, circuit breakers 204 and 206 are turned to their on position. Switch 180 is closed, and the resultant application of a D.C. potential to the switching points in the circuitry is indicated by a panel light 218 energized by the switch closing in a circuit through lead 220 to ground return. Normally closed relay contacts in the circuitry are effective to complete circuits from D.C. power to ground for other panel indicators including a drill motor off light 222, a pump motor off light 224, and a light 226 advising that carriage 40 is prepared for a downward displacement. Mercury switch 158 controls a panel indicator having separate lights 230 and 231 designated vertical and non-vertical, respectively. A double pole contact 232, which normally completes a circuit to vertical light 230, is actuated to complete a circuit to non-vertical light 231 when switch 158 is tilted beyond 10 degrees in any direction from the the vertical to complete a circuit to energize the coil of relay 234. A lead 236 connects D.C. voltage to contact 232.

Upon lowering the corer apparatus into the water so as to submerge pump 46, start pump switch 182 is depressed to complete a circuit from D.C. voltage to a grounded relay coil 238, by way of leads 240, 242, and a normally closed relay contact 244. Energization of relay 238, locks over depressed switch 182, and closes its contact 246 to complete a circuit through a lead 248 supplying an actuating input to controller 196. Consequently, pump motor 48 is energized to institute pump operation the apparatus. A further relay contact 249 is switched to complete an energizing circuit for a panel light 250 in dicating that the pump motor is on. An ammeter 252 connected within one phase line leading to motor 48, is mounted in the console panel where it provides the operator with an indication of motor operation.

Continued lowering of the corer apparatus finally brings it to rest on the sea bottom 32 as shown in FIG. 1. Subsequent release of cable 101 which further lowers carriage 40, brings drill bit 66 into contact with sea floor 32 as the actuator of switch engages fixed projection 154 and is snapped into an alternate position. A relay 254, having its coil energized by D.C. voltage through the contact of switch 150 and a lead 256, is consequently deenergized. This relays normally closed contact 258 is therefore released to complete an energizing circuit for a coil of a relay 260. A contact 262 of the relay is drawn into line contact to complete an energizing circuit for a panel light 264 which illuminates to indicate that the drill motor may be started. However, vertical alignment indicator 230 is checked before starting the motor, and in the event not-vertical light 231 is on, the apparatus must 'be raised and moved to a new location. Having verified the alignment, drill motor start switch 184 is depressed to complete an energizing circuit to a coil of a relay 266, through leads 268 and 269, and a contact 272 in the circuit which was previously closed by the energization of its relay 260. Activation of relay 266 effects a lockover of start switch 184, closure of its contact 274, and the opening of normally closed contact 276. An actuating circuit is thereby completed for drill motor controller 198, through contact 274, and leads 278 and 279. Operation of drill motor 56 is thus initiated. An ammeter 280 in a phase line to motor 56, is mounted in the console panel to provide the operator with an indication of drill motor operation. Act- 7 nation of relay contact 276 removes power from drill motor off panel light 222, which is thereby extinguished.

As core drill bit 66 approaches the bottom of the drilling stroke, the actuator of switch 152 strikes carn projection 156, and is snapped into its alternate position. An energization circuit for the coil of a relay 284, including the contact of switch 152 and a lead 286, is opened where by a normally closed contact 288 formerly held open by its relay 284, is permitted to colse. Consequently, an energizing circuit for the coil of a relay 290 is completed through contact 288 and lead 291. Activation of relay 290, opens a normally closed contact 244 in the pump motor start circuit. The resulting deenergization of relay 238 opens contact 246 in the actuation circuit for pump motor controller 196, whereby motor 48 stops as power thereto is cut-off. In addition, pump start switch 182 snaps open since the relay powered hold down thereon is released. Contact 249 also returns to its normal position wherein it completes an energizing circuit for panel light 224, indicating the pump motor oif condition.

At any time after the pump motor has been automatically turned off and it is desired to restart the pump, pump motor off over-ride switch 186 is depressed together with start pump motor switch 182. When switches 182 and 186 are held down, a circuit to activate the coil of relay 238 is completed through the contacts and leads 293, 294, and 242. Relay 238 is thereby permitted to function, as was hereinabove described, to facilitate operation of motor 48. Use of the over-ride switch 186 is indicated by light on a lamp 292, energized in a circuit to power through a contact 295 mechanically connected to be depressed with the over-ride switch. In the event it is desired to have the pump remain in operation, panel reset switch 188 is depressed together with pump motor start switch 182. A coil of a relay 296 is energized in a circuit through closed switch 188, and a normally closed relay contact 298. Activated relay 296 functions to lock-over reset switch 188, and closes a contact 300 which com pletes a circuit energizing the pump motor control relay 238 by way of depressed switch 182, leads 240, 293, 302 and 242. A reset panel light 304 is also energized by closure of relay actuated contact 306. Relay 296 additionally actuates a contact 308 in a circuit completed by the depression of pump motor off switch 190, which energizes the coil of an associated relay 310. Until switch 190 is depressed the reset circuit is effective to continue the operation of pump motor 48. Activation of relay 31.0 by the pump motor off switch function to lock-over the switch, and to open normally closed contact 298 in the reset circuit. Consequently, reset relay 296 is deactivated with the result that the release of its contact 300 opens the pump motor operation facilitating circuit wherein the deactivation of relay 238 opens contact 246 in the circuit to pump motor controller 196. Pump motor start switch 182, and reset switch 188 are both released, upon cessation of their relay holds. Pump motor off. relay 310 is in turn also deactivated when contact 308 in the relay energizing circuit is released to open by the deactivation of reset relay 296. Pump motor off switch 190 is thus also released to its initial condition; and normally closed contact 298 is released to complete the reset initiating circuit up to its switch 188.

Drill motor 56 remains effective to the end of the drilling stroke, and during the retract operation wherein this motor drives winch 122 and the carriage lift pulley system associated therewith. As the retracting drilling mechanism approaches the top of the stroke, switch 150 again strikes camming projection 154 whereby it is snapped back to the initial condition thereof, or as it app-ears in FIG. 3. Thus, relay 254 is energized in a circuit completed through. lead 256, and normally closed contact 258 is drawn open. The resultant deenergization of the coil of relay 260, and the release of its contact 272 to open condition, interrupts the energizing circuit to the coil of drill motor start switch relay 266. Deactivation of relay 266 permits the release of drill motor start switch 184, and opens contact 274 in the actuating circuit to drill motor controller 198 with the result that drill motor 56 stops as power thereto is cut-off. Normally closed contact 276 is also released whereby it completes an energizing circuit for the drill motor 011 panel light 222. Contact 259 is switched to complete an energizing circuit for panel light 227, advising that the carriage is raised. Contact 262 now in its normally open state permits the drill start panel light 264 to extinguish.

At any time after the drill has been automatically turned off, it can be restarted by depressing drill motor off over-ride switch 192 together with the start drill switch 184. An energiizng circuit for drill motor start relay 266 is completed by way of the depressed switches and leads 268 and 269. Switch 192 is mechanically linked to a c0ntact 316 which moves therewith to complete an energizing circuit for a panel light 138 indicating the use of the override control.

While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been described and illustrated, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited thereby but is susceptible to changes in form and detail.

What is claimed is:

1. A submarine coring apparatus adapted to be lowered to a sea floor from an attending ship having onboard a console wherefrom connective lines reaching said apparatus facilitate operational control thereof from said console, said apparatus comprising a tower characterized by a vertically disposed, elongated open frame upper structure having a relatively Wider underframe,

an elevator carriage confined within said tower and vertically displaceable therein between top and bottom ends thereof,

a core sample recovery arrangement supported for operation within said carriage and having a drill bit as an integral part at an end thereof which passes through said bottom end of said tower,

a plurality of motors secured in said carriage,

a drive train connecting the rotational output of one of said motors to a driven part of said coring arrangement, and

a drive mechanism for lifting said carriage with respect to said tower structure, said mechanism comprising components extending between said carriage and the top end of said tower, and further components on said carriage including means having drive connections alternately positionable between disabled and enabled conditions for transmitting a drive from the said one of said motors which effects displacement of said extended components, and further means cooperatively associated with said drive connections and a control element secured to said tower at the said bottom end thereof, to position said connections from the disabled to an enabled condition thereof whereby disposition of said carriage adjacent to said bottom end of said tower effectuates the functioning of said further means and said drive connections to an enabling condition wherefore said drive mechanism is activated to displace said extended components and obtain the elevation of said carriage within said tower.

2. The submarine coring apparatus of claim 1 wherein said tower comprises top and bottom plates braced spaced apart by a plurality of elongated posts,

said elevator carriage comprises spaced apart top and bottom decks, each said deck having a multiplicity of channel members made integral with the outer edge thereof, and which are disposed thereon to ride on a plurality of said tower posts for vertical displacement of said carriage,

said coring arrangement passing through central portions of said decks and said bottom tower plate, and comprising a core barrel having a core tube and liner nested therein, a sub barrel fitted over an upper part of said core barrel and operably joined thereto by means including a weak-link connector therebetween, and a chuck in which said sub barrel is secured,

a drive speed reduction mechanism located between said decks and having means drivingly engaging an extension of said chuck, and

a drive transmitting device situated between said carriage decks and connected to the said one of said motors and to said drive speed reduction mechanism whereby a motor drive is applied to rotate said chuck and said core barrel therewith.

3. The submarine corer apparatus of claim 2 comprising said drive mechanism for lifting said carriage wherein:

said extended components include a pulley system having a cord joined at one end to said top deck of said carriage and extended over pulleys attached to said top plate of said tower and thence to said bottom deck of said carriage,

said further components include a winch drum to which is joined the further end of said cord, said drum having a gear attached thereto, a carrier plate whereon said geared drum is rotatably mounted, said carrier plate being maintained to pivot on said bottom carriage deck, and a further gear attached for rotation by said drive speed reduction mechanism, said drum gear and further gear comprising said means having alternately positionable drive connections, 7

said further means including a pawl pivotally mounted on said bottom carriage deck and spring held in either of a first or second position, said pawl being pivotally connected to said carrier plate, and

said control element includes a camming projection affixed to the bottom plate of said tower, and disposed in the path of said pawl and in contact therewith when said carrier is in a predetermined lowered position within said tower, whereby said pawl is shifted from said first position thereof wherein said carrier plate is maintained to prevent engagement of said drum gear and further gear so as to disable said drive connections, to said second position of said pawl wherein said carriage plate is maintained to effect said engagement of said drum gear and said further gear enabling said drive connection whereby said drum is rotated to wind up said cord thereon and elevated said carriage by means of said pulley system.

said carriage having coupled thereto a water pump driven by another of said plurality of motors in said carriage, and

further comprising first, second and third switch devices aflixed to the top deck of said carriage, separate switch actuators affixed to one of said posts at upper and lower locations thereon, and disposed to activate said first and second switch devices, respectively,

a plurality of individual switch means on said console aboard ship which are operable to separately energize said one and said another of said motors,

said switch devices and said individual switch means being cooperatively interrelated to function whereby upon lowering said carriage a predetermined distance from a maximum upward displacement thereof operation of said first switch device is efiected by said upper actuator to produce a signal on said console indicating readiness of said apparatus for a core drilling operation, and prepare for the operation of the said one of said motors by actuation of one of said individual switch means, and after actuation of said plurality of said individual switch means to energize the said one and another of said motors, a further lowering of said carriage to a predetermined distance above a maximum downward displacement thereof effects operation of said second switch device by said lower actuator to deenergize the said another of said motors, and subsequently upon said carriage rising said predetermined distance above said maximum downward displacement said lower actuator effects operation of said second switch to activate a further signal on said console indicating that carriage retraction is underway, said third switch being operable upon said apparatus taking a predetermined non-vertical position on said sea floor to activate a still further signal on said console to indicate the absence of a proper verticalness for the apparatus.

5. The submarine corer apparatus of claim 1 wherein said underframe comprises a tripod arrangement having connected at the end of each leg thereof an articulative pedestal pad, and projecting down from the underside of each said pad is a spike adapted to be embedded in said sea floor upon touch down thereon by said apparatus.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 4. The submarine coring apparatus of claim 1 wherein 2,176,477 10/ 1939 Varney 175-6 said tower comprises top and bottom plates braced 3,370,656 2/1968 Grolet 175-6 spaced apart by a plurality of elongated posts, 3,392,794 7/1968 Kurillo 175-6 said elevator carriage comprises spaced apart top and 3,411,595 11/1968 Rosfelder 175-6 bottom decks, each said deck having a multiplicity 3,412,814 11/ 1968 Rosfelder 175-6 of channel members made integral with the outer edge thereof and which are disposed thereon to ride on a plurality of said tower posts for vertical displacement of said carriage,

NILE C. BYERS, 111., Primary Examiner 

